Timing apparatus



Jul 3, 1923.

C. M. CROOK TIMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet l July 3,1923.

C. M. CROOK TIMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 2C.M.CROOK TIMING APPARATUS Filed OCt- 2, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedJuly 3, 1923.

CHARLES H. CBOOK, O1 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIMING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 2,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. CRooK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Timin Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a 1111, clear, concise, and exact description, referencebeinghad to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in timing-devices, and isparticularly adaptable for use in connection with the control of theoperating periods of processes of various kinds, such, for instance, asvulcanizing processes of rubber goods of various character.

One of the objects of my invention is to rovidea means which willprovide in a small, self-contained device a timing apparatus which atthe expiration of predetermined periods will cause a signal to be giveneither visible or audible, that the predetermined time has elapsed, or,if desired, stop the process or method; and, furthermore, to providemeans which during the entire eriod will show the length of timeremainmg before the signal will be sounded.

A further ,object of my invention is to provide an indicator which maybe operated from any ordinary lam socket.

v For the purpose of isclosing my invention, I have shown one embodimentof the same in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view 2'-2-of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line taken on the line I 60mechanism;

Fig. 9 is an elevation, of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8; I

"Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the switch 1919. Serial no. 327,930.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 1l11 of Fig. 2;

12 is a detail View of the latch; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are views showing the driving motor for the mechanism.

In t e embodiment illustrated, I provide a cylindrical casing,preferably formed of metal and having a bottom or base section 1, and aside tubular section 2 secured thereto and forming together the casing,A cover for the casing comprising an annular flanged ring 3 securedtothe to of the member 2 and a glass front 4 suitahly secured inposition on the ring is provided, which cover is secured in position inany suitable manner..

This cover is tightly secured in position and makes a.dustproof joint,as at 5, as likewise does the cylinder 2 with the bottom portion 1, asat 6.

All of the operating parts of the indicator are arranged within t iscasing. Mounted within the casing and supported and secured in positionnponsuitab e posts 7 is a supporting plate 8. This plate serves as asupport for the various operating parts of the mechanism. On the underside of this plate is mounted the operatin motor 9, which will be morefully described hereinafter, which motor is provided with a drivingpinion 10. .On the upper side of the'plate 8 and journaled between theplate 8 and the plate 11- is a shaft 12. This shaft has loosely mountedthereon a hub 13, which carries an indicating disc 14, said disc havingan indicating arrow 15 on its upper face, The shaft 13 carries anindicating hand 16, and the arrow 15'and hand 16 cooperate with asuitable face 17 on the top of the plate 11. The face 17 hassuitableindicia thereon, and in the example illustrated the plate isdivided into five-minute intervals with minute graduates between. Thesenumerals progress in a clockwise direction, while the indicating hand 16is adapted to be driven in a contra-clockwise direction. The disc 14 andits indicatin arrow is, adapted to be manually rotated, an

to this end on the hub 13 a gear wheel 18 is mounted. This gear wheelmeshes with a pinion 19- mounted on the shaft 20 journaled between theupper and lower plates 11 and 8, and this shaft carries a gear wheel 21adapted to mesh with an elongated inion 22. The elongated pinion ismount on a shaft23 adapted to project through the ring 3 and has on itsupper end an operating knurled nut 24. In order that the casing maybe'made dustproof, at the point where the shaft 23 passes through thetop thereof I provide a bushing 25, the lower end of which has a reducedopening just sufficiently large to accommodate the shaft 23, andsurrounding the shaft is a suitable felt washer or other packing 26.This washer is held in position by means of a coiled spring 27 restingupon the bottom of the bushing" and having its other end bearing againstthe lower end of the nut 24 to serve to maintain the pinion 22 in araised position and in a position where its teeth will engage a lockingtooth 28 on the under side of the plate 11, so that the inion 22 will beheld against rotation. 2i nut 29 on the top of the bushing aids insecuring the bushing in place. In order to rotate the pinion and therebyset the disc 14, it is necessary to first de ress,

the

the knob 24 to disen ge the teeth 0 pinion 22 from the ocking pin 28,after will be concentric with'this driving shaft.

39 pivoted at 40 to the upper plate.

This driving shaft is provided with a pinion 36, which, in turn, mesheswith a gear 37 on the shaft 32, so that the rotation of the gear 37 willtransmit motion to the pinion 30. The lower end of the shaft 35 isprovided with a gear 38, which, in turn, meshes with the driving pinion10 of the motor.

formed byv the plates 33 the motor is connected with and can drive theshaft 12. At the same time, due to the fact that the frame is pivoted,this frame can be swung so that the pinion 31 may be swung out ofengagement" with the gear 30, thereby disconnecting the motor from theshaft 12 without affecting in any way the running of the motor; in otherwords, the motor is adapted to be continuously operated, while the shaft12 is adapted to be connected or disconnected therewith as occasiondemands. The upper plate 33 has mounted thereon a :Ii gg rear end ofthis dog is adapted, when the frame is moved outwardly to disconnect thepinion 30 from the gear.29, to engage ina notch 41 formed in the lowerend of a vertically movable catch. 42. This catch comprises a verticallymovable rod having the longitudinal notch 42 ,formed in its lower end,into which 'the end of the dog It will thus be seen that through thegearing carried on the movable frame 39 may engage, and just above thenotch 42 a transverse notch 43, which, when the latch or rod isdepressed, will free the dog. This rod is secured in position in thesame manner as the shaft 23 and is prevented from turning by a laterallyextending arm 44 thereon, sliding in a groove 45 in one of the securingposts of the frame.

When the pointer 16 reaches the zero point,'a suitable switch is adaptedto be tripped for the purpose of closing the circuit through anysignaling mechanism, as, for instance, a light or a hell, or this switchmay be operated to close the circuit through any desired mechanism. Thisswitch, as noted, comprises a pair of spaced-apart contacts 46 and 47,mounted on an insulating bridge 48 and connected, respectively, tobinding-posts 49 and 50, to which the conductors of the mechanism to becontrolled are connected. The contacts are adapted to be bridged by acontact member 51 mounted upon an insulating arm 52 secured to the outerend of a tripping arm 53. This tripping arm is arcuate in form, asshown, and is pivoted at 54 upon the u per side of the plate 11. The armis eld against the-tension of a coiled spring 55, one'end of which isconnected to the arm and the other to the plate 8 in non-trippingposition by a cam member 56 mounted upon the shaft 12 and adapted torotate with the pointer 16. V This cam' member 56 is pro videdwith arecess or slot 57, which is r0 tated to a position to permit the pin 58on the trippingarm to drop therein and permit the tripping arm to closethe switch at the same moment that the pointer 16 reaches zero position.The tripping arm is provided with a projection 59 adapted to engage witha projecting arm 60 on the frame formed by t e plates 33, and this frameis held against this projection by means of the coiled spring 61, oneend ofwhichis connected to the end of the dog 39 and'the other end ofwhich is connected to the tri ping arm. In order that the pointer 16will move back to the position from which it started, a coiled spring 62is provided. This spring surrounds the shaft. 12 and has one endconnected to the plate 8 and the other end connected to the underside ofthe cam member 56, so that while the shaft is being rotated to move thepointer in a-contraclockwise direction the 5 ring 62 will be wound toprovide motive oroe to rotate the shaft in an opposite direction whenthe shaft is disconnected fromthe motor. The

setting gear 18 is provided on its under face indicated The trip arm 53is re-aet from the exterior of the casingby means of the push-button 64on the end of a vertically movable rod 65. This rod is secured in thecasing in the same manner as the shaft 23 and is provided with a collar66 adapted to be engaged by one arm 67 of a bell crank lever pivoted at68 to the under side of the plate 11. The opposite arm 69 of this bellcrank lever bears against a laterally extending pin 70 secured to thepivot post 54 of the arm 53, this pivot post and arm being adapted torock together. It is, therefore, apparent that when the button 64 isdepressed, through the medium of the bell crank lever, the arm is rockedto disengage the pin 58 fromthe camslot 57, at the same time moving-thecontact member 51 from between the contact blades 46 and 47 to open theswitch. When the pin 58 has been dis engaged from theslot 57'the cam 56will] rotate in an opposite direction from that in which it has beendrivenby the motor, until the stop 64 on the gear engages the stop 63 onthe setting gear 18, bringing the cam to rest at its designated point.

Mounted on the insulating bridge 48 is a pair of binding-posts 71, towhich the leading-in wires or cables 72 are brought. These binding-postsare connected with the terminals of the driving motor 9 for the purposeof supplying power thereto. The leading-in wires 72 as well as the wiresconnected to the binding-posts 49 and 50 are brought in through anopening 73 in the casing, which opening is adapted to receive the end ofthe conduit through which the wires pass, and is thereby sealed againstthe entrance of the dust, and the like. The conductors 72 are adapted tobe connected with an alternatingcurrent circuit or any suitable sourceof power.

The motor for drivingthe apparatus is of a particular type and hasstrong starting and strong synchronizing characteristics, which, whenconnected with an alternatingcurrent circuit, will run with extremeaccuracy and with the minimum of attention. In general, the motorconsists of a laminated field magnet 74 provided with a coil 75 andhaving its pole-pieces provided with shading coils 76 and 77 andwithcircular polar faces 78, 79, 80 and 81 and with straight faces 82 and 83separated by substantially small or narrow air gaps. Within the rotarymagnetic field formed by the polepieces and shading coils is an unwoundrotor which is substantially non-polar geometrically and magneticallypolar, and preferably is made of a circular disc 84 of hardened steelfast on a shaft 85. This rotor is provided with two pins or bars 86 and87, preferably of hardened steel. which are located substantiallydiametrically opposite and extend in .a direction substantially parallelwith the axis of the rotor, projecting into a portion of the magneticfield which is outside of the zone in which the disc 84 rotates. Theshaft is preferably mounted vertically to reduce wear on the bearings,and the relation between the rotor and the field is such that it ismagnetically supported, so that when running itfioats withoutappreciable end thrust. Motion from this shaft 85 is transmitted througha worm thread to a gear-88 and thence by a similar reduction gearing tothe shaft 89 driving th pinion 10. This gearing is enclosed in a nearlyairtight case 90, which contains an ample amount of lubricating oil sothat the wear of the parts is reduced to a minimum and the attentionrequired by the motor is practically nil. A cap 91 is placed over thedisc, so that all of the parts are-permanently enclosed.

In use, the motor runs continuously at a 'constant speed. To set thedevice so that the switch will be operated after the lapse of apredetermined time, for instance twenty minutes, the operator pressesinwardly on the thumbpiece 24 to release this thumbpiece for rotation,and then rotate the thumbpiece to set the stop 63 at the .desired point,this point being indicated by the pointer 15, the'pointer 15 being setto point to the figure 20 on the dial. The operator then presses down onthe push button 64. This pressing down on the button 64 moves the pin 58out of the notch 57, and permits the cam or disc 56 to fly around underthe influence of the coiled torsion spring 62 until the stop 'member 64comes up against the stop member 63.

The mechanism is now set and ready to start. To start thetime-controlled movement of pointer 16, the starting button on the upperend at the vertically movable catch 42 is pressed down, to release thelatch inember or dog 39 to permit the plates 33, which form the movableframe, to swing inwardly to bring the pinion 31 into mesh with the gear30. This starts the time-controlled movement of the gear 30. the cammember 56 and the pointer 16. This timecon'trolled movement continuesuntil the notch 57 comes around into a position to permit the pin 58 todrop therein under the action of the-tension spring 55. When the pin 58drops into the notch, the arm 53 swings about its pivot, and closes theswitch circuit in the contact member51. -Also, as the tripping arm 53moves about its pivot, the projection 59 engages the projecting arm 60on the swinging frame 33, which carries the pinion 31, moving thispinion 31 out of mesh with the gear 30, and thus stopping thetime-controlled movement of the gear 30, and of the pointer 16. Theparts will remain in this condition, with the motor running, butdisconnected from the pointer I 7 the combination with a rotatableshaft, 0%

16, until it is again'desiredto reset the pointer 16, and to start thetime-controlled movement, which. is accomplished by simply pressing onthe button 64 to set the hand what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a switch, of a tripping means for said switchoperating when said tripping means reaches a predetermined point, meansfor retracting said tripping means from said point, a stop fordetermining the distance from said point said tripping means isretracted, an electrimmotor having a rotating armature for driving saidtripping means, and means for disconnecting said armature from saidtripping means.

2. The combination with a switch, of a tripping means. for said switchoperating when the tripping means reaches a predeten, mined point, meansfor retracting said trlpping means from said point, an adjustable stopfor determining the distance from said point said tripping means isretracted, an electric motor having a rotating armature for driving saidtripping means, and means for disconnecting said armature from saidtripping means.

3. The combination with a switch, of a tripping means for said switchoperating when it reaches a predetermined point, means for retractingthe same from said point, a stop for determining the distance from saidpoint said tripping means is retracted, an electric motor having aconstantly rotating armature for driving said triping means, and meansfor automatically disconnecting said armature from said trip;

' ping means upon the tripping of said switc and manually-operate 4. Thecombination with a switch, of a tripping means forsaid switch operatingwhen said tripping means reaches a predetermined point, means forretracting said tripping means from said point, a stop for determiningthe distance from said point the tripping means is retracted, anelectric motor having a constantly rotating armature for driving saidtripping means, means for automatically disconnecting said armature fromsaid tripping means when the switch is tripped, manually-operated meansfor causing said retractm means to operate, means for causing saidarmature to be connected with said tripping means.

5. In a device of the character described a tripping means operated whensaid shaft has made a predetermined movement of rotation, a motor havinga rotatmg armature,

. a movable member havin .which it is desired sha the laps of apredetermined period of time,

"means for returnin connect said driving gear from the shaft.

6. In a'device of the character described, the combination with a shaft,of a trip ing means operated by said shaft when the s a has made apredetermined movement of rotation, a motor having a rotating armature,a driving gear for said shaft'connected with said armature, and meansfor automatically moving said member to disconnect the driving gear whenthe tripping device isoperated.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination witha'movable switch member having a tendency to move to operate, arotatable member holding. said switch member against operation andhaving means which, when said rotatable member has reached apredetermined point, permits the switch member to operate, a drivin gearfor said rotatable member, a motor having a rotating armature, and meansfor disconnecting said armature from said driving gear when the switchmember operates.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination witha switch,of a trippin device for operating said switch when sai tripping devicehas been moved a predetermined distance, a motor having a rotatingarmature, means for connecting said motor with said tripping device fordriving the same, and means operated by said tripping device fordisconnecting the motor and holding the motor disconnected.

- 9. A time-controlled mechanism comprising 'a synchronous motor,operable means which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse ofa predetermined period of time,

movable means for controlling the instant.

said movable means 10. A time-controlled mechanism compris 1 ing asynchronous motorimoperabledmefains operate a er movable means forcontrolling the-instant of operation of said operable means, meanswhereby the rate of movement of said movable means in one. direction iscontrolled by said time-controlled mechanism, power said movable meansafter its time-contro ed movement, and indicatin ment 0 said movablemeans.

11. A time-controlled mechanism comprising a synchronous motor operablemeans which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse of apredetermined period of time,

means for indicating the adjustmovable means foi' controlling theinstant of o ration of said operable means, means w ereby the rate ofmovement of said movable means in one direction is controlled by saidtime-controlled mechanism, power means for returning said movable meansafter vits time-controlled movement, and

' ing a synchronous lapse of a p so 7 after its time-controlled 1 ment,to determine theing means for limiting said return movement to determinethe duration of the time-controlled movement. 7

12. A time-controlled mechanism comprismotor, operable means which it isdesired shall be operated aiter the lapse oi a predetermined period oftime, movable means for controlling the instant of operation of saidoperable means, means wher by the rate of movement of said movable meansin one direction is controlled by said time-controlled mechanism, powermeans for returning said movable means after its time-controlledmovement, means for limiting said return movement to determine theduration of the time-controlled movement, and meanscfor adjusting saidlimitin means.

13. time controlled mechanism comprisa synchronous motor, operable meanswhich it is desired shall be operated after the redetermined eriod oftime,

movable means for control mg the instant of operation of said operablemeans, means whereby the rate or movement of said movable means in onedirection is controlled by said time-controlled mechanism, power meansfor returning said movable means movement, movsaid return moveuration ofthe timeoontrolled movement, and means for causing able means forlimitin said limiting 'means to move in a d ite path.

v 14. ,Atim'e-controlled mechanism comprising a syn able means in onechronous motor operable means which it is desired shall be operatedafter the lapse of a predetermined period of time, movable means forcontrolling the instant of operation of said operable means, meanswhereby the rate of movement of said mov direction is controlled by saidtime-controlled mechanism, power means for returnin said movable meansafter its time-contro ed movement; movable means for limiting saidreturn movement to determine the duration of the time-controlledmovement, means for causing sai limitin means to move in a definitepath, manual y operable means for adjusting said limitin means, andindicating means for indicating the adjusting of said'adjusting means.

15. A time-controlled means, operable means which it is desired shouldbe operated after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, movablemeans for controlling the instant of operation of said operable means,comprisin a rotatable cam, means whereby the rate or in one direction iscontrolled by said time controlled mechanism, power means for returningsaid movable means after its time controlled movement, and means forlimiting said return movement to determine the duration of thetime-controlled movement,

16. A time-controlled means, operable means which it is desired shouldbe operated after the la se of a predetermined eriod of ,time, movalblemeans for controlling the instant of operation of said operable means,comprising a rotatable cam 'and a spring arm controlled by said cam,means whereby the rate of movement of said movable means in: onedirection iscontrolled by said timecontrolled mechanism, power means forreturnin said movable means after its timecontro ed movement, andmeansfor limitmg said return movement to determine the duration of thetime-controlled movement. 17. A time -.controlled .means, operable meanswhich it is desired should be operated afterthe la se of a predeterminedriod of time, mova le means for contro ling the instant of operation. ofsaid operable means, transmission means between said time-controlledmeans and said movable means, whereby the rate of movement of saidmovable means in one by said time-controlled means, power for returninsaid movable means-after its time-contro ed movement, means for limitingsaid return movement to determine the duration of saidtime-eontrolledmovement, and means for transmis- -sion means com ris' a? legear. I

In witness w ereo I ave hereunto subscribed my name; CHARLES M. OROOK.

movement of said movable means direction is controlled

